COLUMBUS FAMILY HOME! NEW WORLD HISTORY!

This fortress and home was built over five hundred years ago in the New World. Think about that a second. Over five centuries ago. It was here almost a hundred years before the first British settlement in the Americas. It was here for one hundred and nine years before the Pilgrims got to Plymouth rock. More than half of its life span was before the United States even existed as an independent nation. It was the home of three generations of Christopher Columbus’ family. It is known as Alcazar de Colon, which means, the Fortress of Columbus. In this video, I’ll tell you its history and take you on a tour of this amazing location.

Recently we visited the Alcazar de Colon, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in the Caribbean, and we wanted to share its history with you. The Alcazar de Colon, or the Fortress of Columbus was the home of Diego Columbus, the first-born son of Christopher Columbus. In the year 1508, Diego was made Governor of the Indies, a post that was previously held by his father. Diego began the construction on the home in 1511, and it was completed in 1514. It was of course, the first fortified Spanish palace built in the Americas

Diego married Maria Alvarez de Toledo who was the cousin of the first king of Spain, King Ferdinand II. The palace was the site of planning and staging for many explorations and conquests in the New World. Spanish Conquistadors Hernando Cortes, and Pedro de Alvarado visited here, and Cortes even had a house nearby. 

The original house had fifty-five rooms but today only twenty-two still remain. Diego died in 1526 on one of his missions to Spain but his wife lived here until her death in 1549. Three generations of the Columbus family lived here until the late 1500s. 

In 1586, the palace was captured by the British pirate/privateer, Sir Francis Drake. By the mid 1700s the palace was in ruins and in 1776, the year of American independence, plans were made to turn the palace into a prison. My how far it had fallen. The house is now restored and is a museum with various period furnishings and tapestries. Let’s go for a tour!

Upon entering you can watch a short video and you will see mannequins dressed in the clothing, and armor of the 1500s. You will even see a knight on his horse dressed for battle. The palace is completely furnished, with several pieces that are original to the home. The original bedroom suits of Diego Columbus and Maria Alvarez de Toledo. You can even visit Diego’s office with its original furnishings. The palace has its own chapel. And a music room complete with a choir box bench. Another interesting feature of the house is the lantern holders that are in the form of gargoyles that are said to scare away evil spirits. Be sure to catch the breeze and gaze out many of the magnificent windows. The view from the back patio is spectacular.

Outside the palace is a large court yard where you can get your best views of the fortress and the surrounding area. You can even see the Columbus Lighthouse which is the tomb of the European discoverer of the New World. Yes! I know how controversial that statement is, but that’s not the point of this video. At the rear of the building you can explore the old city wall and grounds. For someone that loves history, it is breath taking to walk these grounds and your mind is taken back to its beginnings, even though you are surrounded by all things of the modern world.

So, there you have it, a brief history of the Alcazar de Colon. What do you think? Have you visited here before? Did you know any of this story before or after you visited? Have you now added this location to your bucket list? We’d love to hear from you and please let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to see our other historical articles about the history of  Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, from the Faro a Colon, also known as the Lighthouse to Columbus, which contains his tomb, as well as our article of the main historical things to see in Santo Domingo.

The Fortress of Columbus is one of those places that most people have never heard of but it is one of the few places in all the Western Hemisphere where you can touch history that is half a millennium old. We are proud to help preserve the stories and share them with all of you. Be sure to see the video below from here.

-Col. Russ Carson, Jr., Founder, Family Tree Nuts